Nebraska Knocks Off No. 1 Penn State

Cedar Falls, Iowa - The No. 10 Nebraska wrestling team won six matches on the way to a 19-13 upset of No. 1 Penn State in the second round of the National Duals on Saturday. The Huskers improved to 8-1 heading into its semifinal match with No. 6 Minnesota on Sunday at 11 a.m.

 

Sophomore Mike Rowe made his season debut at 141 pounds and recorded a 6-4 win over No. 2 Jake Strayer. Rowe jumped on Strayer early by earning the first takedown, but a collision between Strayer’s teeth and Rowe’s forehead in the second period slowed Rowe down. Rowe battled blood throughout the rest of the match, but scored a reversal with a minute left in the final period to retake the lead and win.

 

Junior Paul Donahoe notched the Huskers’ only bonus-point victory in a tightly contested dual as he earned a 13-4 major decision over No. 7 Mark McKnight at 125 pounds. Donahoe entered the third period up just two but recorded three takedowns and an escape in the final stanza to widen the gap. Donahoe’s two victories on Saturday were both over ranked opponents and improved him to 10-0 on the season and 7-0 in duals.

 

The Huskers’ four other wins were all by decision as each team only had one bonus-point victory. Sophomore Kenny Jordan recorded his second win of the day at 133 with a 2-0 win over Tim Haas, while fellow sophomore Stephen Dwyer also went 2-0 on the day at 165. Dwyer notched a 5-3 win over Dave Rella, before junior Brandon Browne won 5-4 over No. 17 Dave Erwin at 174. Junior Vince Jones clinched a Husker victory with his 10-5 decision over No. 14 Philip Bomberger at 184. Jones win put the Huskers up 19-6 with two matches left.

 

The Huskers will attempt to avenge their only loss of the season when they hook up with the Golden Gophers on Sunday morning in Cedar Falls. Minnesota posted a 25-13 win over NU on Dec. 6 in Minneapolis, but the Huskers forfeited two weights to give Minnesota 12 points.

 

No. 10 Nebraska 19, No. 1 PennState 13

UNI Dome, Cedar Falls, Iowa

 

Match Results

125 Pounds-No. 1 Paul Donahoe (NU) by major dec. over No. 7 Mark McKnight (PSU), 13-4

133 Pounds-No. 8 Kenny Jordan (NU) by dec. over Tim Haas (PSU), 2-0

141 Pounds-Mike Rowe (NU) by dec. over No. 2 Jake Strayer (PSU), 6-4

149 Pounds?No. 4 Bubba Jenkins (PSU) by dec. over No. 6 Jordan Burroughs (NU), 3-2

157 Pounds?No. 10 Dan Vallimont (PSU) by dec. over No. 17 Chris Oliver (NU), 11-6

165 Pounds-No. 8 Stephen Dwyer (NU) by dec. over Dave Rella (PSU), 5-3

174 Pounds-No. 5 Brandon Browne (NU) by dec. over No. 17 Dave Erwin (PSU), 5-4

184 Pounds-No.10 Vince Jones (NU) by dec. over No. 14 Philip Bomberger (PSU), 10-5
197 Pounds-No. 2 Philip Davis (PSU) by major dec. over No. 4 Craig Brester (NU), 8-0

285 Pounds-John Laboranti (PSU) by dec. over No. 19 Jon May (NU), 3-1 sudden victory